Identifying the Top Value RB Picks for the 2023 Fantasy Season

Running backs are notoriously difficult to get right in fantasy football because, for the most part, they just break so often. Over the last few seasons, the consensus number-one overall picks in half PPR leagues have been Christian McCaffrey, McCaffrey again, and then Jonathan Taylor. Over the last three seasons, those players taken first overall in most leagues averaged seven games each, with Taylor clocking in the most with 11 starts in 2022.

To pile onto this, fantasy managers need to weigh in the potential of rookies, how much wear and tear was sustained over last season, and if niggling injuries may resurface. In any case, running backs are always a gamble, especially with top-end picks in a fantasy draft. Still, the positions need filling, and most players will roll the dice on a first or second-round RB. Here, we’re using outside sources to help guide RB picks with good value for 2023.

Locating the running backs that will be utilized not overworked

As stated, the difficulty with running backs is that some get overworked and end up injured very quickly. Further difficulties can come from RBs, who are the team’s only offensive outlet, especially if the team isn’t very good and is forced to pass more than its talent would suggest. Finding that sweet spot is key to increasing the chances of your early draft picks landing a reliable RB who will put up decent points.

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For this, we’re turning to the sportsbooks to point us in the direction of the best teams in the league. In theory, the best teams will have a passing game good enough to keep opponents honest, a defense strong enough to keep games close or hold victories, and thus, give plenty of lower-pressure touches to backs. Being RB-friendly in the red zone often comes with these team traits.

While you can find these rankings in any state, we’re turning to one of the more packed markets for competitive oddsmakers: New Jersey. Among the NJ sportsbook sign up bonus rankings, you’ll be able to find odds on the next Super Bowl winner at any platform and use the bonuses on that market. It’s here that we see the Chiefs (7.50), 49ers (10.0), Bills (9.50), and Cowboys (17.00) as golden teams to look at for top RB picks in 2023.

Examining some top-class RBs worth of opening-round picks in fantasy

We’re going to start with the most-feared player in fantasy drafts: Christian McCaffrey. After his breakout season, two years as the consensus top pick yielded less than nothing. Last year, McCaffrey boomed back in a far better team. The SF team around the star back remains stacked and well-drilled, which should enable him to be even better in 2023.

If you’re saddled with the opening selection, ignore the fears of another injury, as McCaffrey proved last year that a good system could allow him to be at his best again. Next on the list is certainly a curveball and may still be loitering in the fourth round or later. Isiah Pacheco was superb once given the starting role last season, and while the Chiefs will remain pass-first, he’ll get plenty of touches ahead of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and La’Mical Perine.

Tony Pollard should also be a top pick this season. Ezekiel Elliott will be moving on, and even as a backup or limited starter last season, Pollard was putting up week-winning performances in 2022. He’s a star and will now get the starting role that so many fans craved last season. Similarly, the Bills may now have a true starter. After the RB was eased into action last season, James Cook has now been given the #4 jersey and, seemingly, the starting role. Like Pacheco, he could fall later and be a valuable pick in the third or fourth round.

While we don’t know where he’ll be playing yet, there are a few situations in which Bijan Robinson should be overlooked as a top RB pick in the second round of fantasy. That said, the best potential landing spots for Robinson include the Bills, which could be problematic for his start to the season and Cook’s season overall. Regardless, he’s a tremendous talent with a 95.3 grade from PFF and is expected to hit the ground running.

If you’re looking at taking an RB in the first, second, or perhaps in the next couple of rounds, then consider the likes of McCaffrey first overall, or Pacheco, Pollard, Cook, or Robinson later in the draft.